Filmmaker Floris Paalman embarks on an exploratory journey in his own neighbourhood, with the aim to seek answers to the question what local participation means. Civic engagement is one of the central themes in local policy in the Amsterdam Dapperbuurt. The film shows several examples from the many suggestions that residents had to improve the quality of life in their area, including the film itself. Several projects are introduced, whereby participants are followed and interrogated about their motivation and experiences. Ultimately the camera and the idea of participatory observation are addressed.
Floris Paalman (the Netherlands) | Dapperbuurt, Amsterdam | 2010 | 85 min | Dutch spoken
Amsterdam | Sunday June 6 | 16.00 hrs
Rook, Gezag en Rummikub
World premiere
The first inhabitants of Nieuwland (New land), Schiedam have seen their neighbourhood change since the 1960s. Often more than 80 years old, they now form a white minority. After them the migrants arrived, for whom in turn Nieuwland was their new land. For more than a year, Steef Meyknecht followed four stories from this neighbourhood: the sixth form of the Islamic primary school Ababil, Riet’s Rummikub club, Uli’s tobacco store and Ferry, the local policeman. Together they form a meaningful portrait of the Vogelaar area. Social and political issues are seen from a human, day-to-day perspective.
Steef Meyknecht (the Netherlands) | Nieuwland, Schiedam, the Netherlands | 2010 | 85 min | Dutch spoken, English subtitles
